Pursuing photovoltaic cost-effectiveness: absolute active power control offers hope in single-phase PV systemsPursuing photovoltaic cost-effectiveness: absolute active power control offers hope in single-phase PV systems Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2018-04-162017enCountries with a considerable number of photovoltaic (PV) installations are facing the challenge of overloading their power grid during peak power production hours if the power infrastructure remains the same. To address this, regulations have been imposed on PV systems to ensure that more active and flexible power control is performed. As an advanced control strategy, absolute active power control (AA PC) can effectively solve overloading issues by limiting the maximum possible PV power to a certain level (i.e., the power limitation) and can also benefit the inverter reliability because of the reduced thermal loading of the power devices. However, its feasibility is challenged by the associated energy losses. An increase in the inverter lifetime and a reduction of the energy yield can alter the cost of energy, demanding an optimization of the power limitation. Therefore, aiming at minimizing the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), this article discusses how to optimize the power limit for the AA PC strategy.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/IEEE Industry Applications Magazine23540-49 Yang Yongheng Koutroulis Eftychios Κουτρουλης Ευτυχιος Sangwongwanich Ariya Blaabjerg, Frede Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inverters Power control Photovoltaic systems Thermal loading Power generation Thermal analysis Loading